Sailing through Varkaus’ Industrial Heritage aboard the Warkaus VII

On 8 August 2026, residents and visitors in Varkaus had the opportunity to experience the city’s industrial heritage from a different perspective: aboard the historic Warkaus VII steamboat on the waters of Lake Saimaa. 

The traditional steamboat cruises invited participants to step back in time while discovering the close relationship between Varkaus’ shipbuilding history and its surrounding lake landscape. Still powered by birch logs, just as it was originally, the Warkaus VII offered an authentic glimpse into the industrial traditions that helped shape the city. 

Over the course of the day, 109 participants joined the public cruises, including local residents, tourists and enthusiasts of nature and industrial cultural heritage. Each journey lasted approximately 1.5 hours, combining the experience of travelling aboard a historic vessel with views of Lake Saimaa. 

Beyond offering a memorable summer experience, the cruises helped raise awareness of steamboat manufacturing in Varkaus and its place within European industrial heritage. They also highlighted the city’s long-standing identity as a shipbuilding centre and the importance of its lake environment to the development and character of the area. 

The initiative also supported cultural tourism by offering visitors an experiential way to interpret industrial heritage: not only by learning about the past, but by stepping aboard a vessel that continues to keep that history alive. 

The cruises were made possible through collaboration between ANDRITZ Oy, owner of the Warkaus VII; Sumitomo SHI FW Energia Oy, owner of the accompanying Eija barge; and the City of Varkaus. 

As part of the Industrial Heritage of Varkaus European Heritage Label Site, experiences such as the Warkaus VII cruises demonstrate how living industrial heritage can connect local identity, landscape and European history while offering new ways for visitors to experience the stories of the past.